These include approaches such as diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that are also commonly employed by medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic physicians (DOs).
But critics say many key elements of naturopathic care, such as homeopathy and IV vitamin therapy, are not scientifically proven.
To make things even more confusing for consumers, there are two main branches of naturopathic medicine. First, she is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) who graduated from a four-year naturopathic school and passed the licensing exam administered by the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education. and unlicensed naturopaths who haven’t completed those steps but are practicing anyway. It’s usually legal as long as you follow basic lifestyle advice.
The AANP says it would like to see NDs in all states recognized as licensed medical professionals because it would distinguish its members from unlicensed naturopathic doctors.
And, like physicians and physicians, they argue that NDs should be allowed to serve as primary care physicians, prescribing medications, diagnosing illnesses, and seeking insurance payments. AANP’s lobbying efforts have led 15 state legislatures to consider bills that would expand or clarify the scope of ND.
But critics, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which represents many primary care physicians, say giving NDs the same rights and privileges as MDs and DOs could harm consumers. Are concerned. They say NDs are not as rigorously trained as doctors, and many natural remedies are ineffective and potentially dangerous.
Currently, the extent to which NDs are available varies widely by state.
In 20 states and the District of Columbia, NDs are typically allowed to order certain medical tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, and write at least some prescriptions. But in other states, they are no different from naturopathic doctors and are limited to providing health advice and non-prescription treatments.
The AANP says distinguishing between NDs and untrained naturopathic doctors will protect consumers. “If someone can call themselves a naturopath, they think they’re seeing a real doctor and have no training at all,” said Robert Kachiko, a Connecticut physician and director of the organization. “People will end up going to a practitioner who hasn’t received the treatment.”
But opponents worry that allowing NDs to practice in the same way as MDs would cause further confusion. “Patients can easily be misled into thinking that a ND license is the same as a medical license,” said Brit Hermes, a retired naturopathic doctor. She says she became disillusioned with the field after witnessing unethical treatment of cancer patients.
Timothy Caulfield, a health law professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and a longtime skeptic of alternative medicine, said he understands why naturopathic medicine appeals to some consumers. Naturopathic doctors are attentive and their treatment plans are individualized.
The problem, Caulfield says, is that many of their treatments aren’t evidence-based. For example, homeopathy is based on the concept that small amounts of toxins can treat certain medical conditions. For example, to cure a pollen allergy, drink a small amount of pollen dissolved in a large amount of water. However, a growing number of large-scale studies have found that homeopathy is no more effective than a placebo.
Some critics say even the less controversial parts of natural medicine tend to be steeped in pseudoscience. “No one disputes that diet and lifestyle are important,” says AAFP President Michael Munger. “But much of the specifics that natural remedies offer are bogus.”
For example, an ND may give dietary advice based on a patient’s blood type. However, a 2013 review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that there is no scientific evidence to support that approach.
When “nature” is not safe
The ND says homeopathy and other “natural” remedies are less toxic than pharmaceuticals, so they are worth trying first. “We’re not against drugs or surgery,” Kachiko says. “But that’s not the first thing we should do.”
AAFP and other groups supporting standards of care say this argument fails on several points.
First, doctors are trained to focus on minimizing harm and avoid riskier treatments until safer treatments are exhausted. “Naturopaths often say they are focused on health, but we only treat disease,” Munger says. “But that’s not true. Preventive care is the basis of primary health care.”
Second, many of the treatments offered by NDs are not actually natural. “Injecting large amounts of herbs and vitamins into the bloodstream is not natural,” says Peter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who studies the nutritional supplement industry.
Finally, while standard medicine can harm patients, so can naturopathic treatments. Although there is no reliable information on how often such damage occurs, there are some documented cases.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration reported last year that a 30-year-old woman received an intravenous infusion of curcumin (a component found in the spice turmeric) from a naturopath to treat eczema, a normally relatively benign skin condition. He was later reported dead. Treated with steroids. According to the FDA, medical authorities concluded that curcumin, which was deemed ineffective in a comprehensive scientific review in 2017, was the cause of her death.
If you are considering naturopathic therapy, please consult your doctor first. If your goal is to improve your health through diet, exercise, or other lifestyle changes, a doctor or DO may be able to help as well.
In any case, if you choose naturopathic medicine, be skeptical of claims that it is safer, more natural, or less profit-oriented than conventional medicine.
Also, keep in mind that most naturopathic treatments are usually not covered by insurance, so you will most likely have to cover the costs yourself.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services or accept advertising. For more information, visit ConsumerReports.org.
